So all, this is an odd one. I just bought a 2021 F350 CCSB SRW with the 7.3 Gasser and 4.30 Gears, 3894 payload, derated a little bit with the 11,200 GVWR package. Tow rating with my set up is 20k and change with a proper 5th wheel hitch or swapping over to a goosebox.

We had a 34' travel trailer, and just sold it in the plans of buying a Sabre 37FLL, 42' Long, 13'5" tall, dry weight of 11,900 or so lbs and a hitch weight of 2500 from the factory. Within specs of my truck with a comfortable margin. My brother in law passed suddenly a couple of weeks ago, and last year bought a brand new Solitude 380FL... similar size dimension-wise, and a very similar floor plan. But much heavier, 14800 empty, 16800 loaded, and an initial pin weight of 3050. We would get it basically for the remaining amount on the loan or for what a new Sabre is going for... Grand Design makes one hell of a better rig that Forest River... But there is much less room on the margins for payload and towing...

With the Sabre, I would be comfortable towing most conditions - hills, mountains, etc. With the Solitude I would be a bit more nervous / cautious and might not make as many long trips.

Anyone have experience with a SRW with that heavy of a 5'er / Gooseneck? Upgrading to a new Dually is not in the cards, I would rather get the Sabre if that's needed.

 

I think this statement answers your question for you. I personally wouldn’t pull that rig with a SRW because I don’t like to arrive all stressed out. As an aside, while the Solitude is a very nice rig, blanket statements that Grand Design is a hell of a lot better than Forest River quality wise doesn’t hold a lot of water. I’m on a couple Grand Design forums, and while the early years might have been awesome, they seem to have as many trash/lemons as any other manufacturer.

 

Thanks Jfk69, yes, getting to my destination without having a 120 pulse is very important to me. My brother in law has pulled this trailer out to Yellowstone and back from Great Lakes Area with a 2016 3500 SRW, so I know it's possible. He was also a truck driver for 35 years with over 2 million safe miles and the awards to prove it. I don't have near that skill or experience as an IT desk-monkey.

 

3360 is probably going to be the pin wt of that solitude.

I can be done. I pulled my 40 foot 5th wheel many miles cross country with a F250 2008 year.

It did fine except on the bridges and stuff. I would have kept it but the wives back did not like it.

I towed cross country with mine.

 

Real tempting to go with the Solitude. I would think your truck could handle it OK on short trips but hilly or mountainous areas it may be a problem. I need every bit of my dually diesel to slow down our Solitude with just about the same specs. Stopping would be the big problem without an exhaust brake with the gas engine but taking it slow may turn out to be a big problem the way traffic is on the highways today. Don't know about the Sabre build quality but our 2018 Solitude has had few problems in the 3 yrs we've had it.

 

Thank you senix and Paw! I'm still undecided but leaning towards the Solitude. I will say that I was impressed with taking my travel trailer that's 8,200 lbs through the highways between Holbrook AZ and Mesa... there were some twisty 6% grades, and the engine was able to control the descent very well. Obviously, I wouldn't expect the same performance with something almost twice as heavy...

I think I'll pull the trigger on it, with the plans of staying in the smoother areas of the country, and then as I build up experience towing it, will determine if I want to try some of the wrinkles . Oh, I meant to add that we're not adverse to seasonal camping, we have done that in the past.... there are a large number of very nice parks within a couple of hours of our house... so if I do buy it, and end up white knuckle all the time, then that's always an option.

Thanks again!

 

We love the FL floor plans like the 380FL with the half bath included. Our next rig will likely be one of the variants of that floorplan. We looked at a GD Solitude and a FR Cedar Creek unit with that floorplan on the same day back to back and the edge for quality/fit/finish/overall feel of the rigs went to the Cedar Creek. The Solitude has the best rear basement storage there is but the Cedar Creek is similar.

 

Two points: 1) the loaded pin weight of either fiver will be about 23% of the GVWR (published dry pin weights are meaningless); 2) We took delivery of our 2020 Solitude 310GK-R a year ago and have had very few problems with it - and none major. It weighs in at 15,700 and the pin weight is 3,320. The 380FL is heavier.

Rob

 

I don't know how far you are from where the Solitude is but can you go there and hook onto it and take it for a test run. It won't take long to find out how your truck handles it and if you feel comfortable pulling it. A dealer probably would't let you do that but since its family I would assume that wouldn't be an issue.

 

This might be worthwhile and weigh it when you do the run.

 

Good idea!

 

I've thought of that, but don't have a 5th wheel hitch yet... and am thinking Goosebox. I should look to see if there is a model goosebox that would fit both trailer wing sets, and just buy it. Yes I could easily test it out if I get the equipment.

Thanks!

 

Get disc brakes, huge difference.

 

Not sure if you've seen this:


Very impressive display of the 7.3's capability.
He admits he's way over his F250 3.55's ratings, but it sure pulls well.

 

Not bad for an occasional use at that weight.